Retail Store Manager

Introduction

Barnes & Noble College is a retail partner for nearly 800 colleges and universities nationwide.  We offer a retail environment like no other – uniquely focused on delivering essential educational content, tools, and merchandise within a dynamic retail environment on campuses of higher education.  Our teams interact directly with our customers including students, faculty, administration, alumni, and the general public to provide outstanding customer service to sell or rent books, general merchandise, and an array of products and services for an academic community.

Overview

Barnes & Noble College is seeking a customer-focused, sales-driven Retail Store Manager to lead our Harvard Business School location — a destination that serves the next generation of global business leaders.  In this role, you’ll bring leadership, creativity, and operational excellence to manage daily store operations, drive sales performance, and deliver exceptional customer experiences. You’ll build strong relationships with students, faculty, alumni, and visitors while fostering a collaborative, high-performing team environment. As part of the historic Harvard/MIT COOP, a cornerstone of campus life for nearly 150 years, this store is evolving into a dynamic hub for connection, curiosity, and community. The Store Manager will play a key role in shaping that experience — blending retail excellence with the spirit of innovation and belonging that defines the Harvard Business School community.

Responsibilities

As Store Manager, you’ll lead the Harvard Business School location, overseeing all aspects of store performance — operations, financial results, merchandising, and team development. You’ll build strong relationships with the HBS community and corporate partners to deliver an exceptional retail experience that reflects the energy and excellence of Harvard. A hands-on leader, you’ll inspire your team to provide outstanding service, drive sales, and create a welcoming space for students, faculty, alumni, and visitors.

Expectations:

• Execute developed business strategies and identify opportunities drive sales, increase customer satisfaction, and expand store traffic.
• Strong delegation, follow up, and management skills to maintain outstanding visual merchandising standards, ensure availability of merchandise, maintain appropriate inventories, and complete projects in a deadline driven industry.
• Ensure high levels of customer satisfaction and sales through effective scheduling, talent acquisition, training, and development of store team members.
• Ability to identify creative solutions, learn independently, embrace change, and act as a change agent.
• Analyze sales figures, interpret trends, and forecast future sales to manage all controllable costs and keep operations profitable.
• Ensure standards for quality, customer service, and health and safety are met by providing a safe and clean store environment and implementing loss prevention measures.

Physical Demands:

• Frequent movement within the store to access various departments, areas, and/or products.
• Ability to remain in a stationary position for extended periods.
• Frequent lifting.
• Occasional reaching, stooping, kneeling, crouching, and climbing ladders.

Massachusetts Pay Transparency Information (Only applicable in Massachusetts stores):

Pay:  Store Manager pay range $25.00 - $33.40/hour.  

Benefits available include:

• Get paid sooner! Daily Pay earned wage access is available to all store employees.
• Employee Discount
• Paid sick time (accrued based on time worked)
• Eligibility to participate in a 401k (after the completion of 1000 hours worked in a 12 month period)
• Commuter Benefit

Eligibility for each plan may Include a waiting period and may require the employee to enroll during a stated eligibility period.

COVID-19 Considerations:

Our stores comply with all applicable federal, state and local requirements and/or recommendations regarding social distancing and sanitizing. In accordance with individual campus requirements, positions may require confirmation of vaccination. The use of face masks throughout the day and while on campus may also be expected or required.

Qualifications

• 5+ years’ supervisory experience in a retail setting preferred or a graduate of the Best Seller Program.
• Bachelors in Business Administration or relevant field preferred.
• Leadership experience to direct and develop a workforce of managers and sales associates.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and problem solving skills to manage campus relationships and corporate initiatives while achieving customer sales and service goals.
• Familiarity with financial and customer service principles.
• Basic reading, writing and accounting skills required.
• Excellent customer service and communication skills needed.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule including evenings, weekends, and holidays.

EEO Statement

Barnes & Noble College is an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer committed to diversity in the workplace.  Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or protected veteran status.

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